Apparatus for performing an electrosurgical procedure

Abstract

An endoscopic forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of pivotably coupled first and second jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another. A drive mechanism includes a driving structure. A link assembly includes two or more links that are operably coupled to each other and the drive structure. The two or more links are operably coupled to respective ones of the first and second jaw members.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
 a shaft; 
 an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end portion of the shaft, the end effector assembly including first and second jaw members pivotably coupled to the shaft about a pivot such that at least one of the first or second jaw members is movable relative to the shaft and the other of the first or second jaw members between an open position, wherein the first and second jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another, and a closed position, wherein the first and second jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; 
 a driving structure disposed within the shaft and configured for translation relative to the shaft; 
 a linkage assembly operably coupled between the driving structure and the first and second jaw members such that translation of the driving structure relative to the shaft moves the at least one of the first or second jaw members between the open position and the closed position, the linkage assembly defining a leading edge; 
 at least one stop member positioned in the shaft, the at least one stop member configured to contact the leading edge of the linkage assembly to releasably lock the at least one of the first or second jaw members in the closed position; and 
 a spring disposed between the pivot and the driving structure, the spring configured to bias the at least one of the first or second jaw members. 
 
     
     
       2. The surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring is configured to bias the at least one of the first or second jaw members towards the open position. 
     
     
       3. The surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring is configured to bias the at least one of the first or second jaw members towards the closed position to provide a closure force between the first and second jaw members. 
     
     
       4. The surgical instrument according to  claim 3 , wherein the closure force is in a range of about 3 kg/cm 2  to about 16 kg/cm 2 . 
     
     
       5. The surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second jaw members is pivotable relative to the shaft and the other of the first and second jaw members between the open and closed positions. 
     
     
       6. The surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the driving structure includes at least one of: a rod, a cable, a wire, or a band. 
     
     
       7. The surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring includes a proximal end fixed relative to the shaft and a distal end movable relative to the shaft. 
     
     
       8. The surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring includes a distal end fixed relative to the shaft and a proximal end movable relative to the shaft. 
     
     
       9. The surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , further comprising a housing, wherein the shaft extends distally from the housing. 
     
     
       10. The surgical instrument according to  claim 9 , further comprising a movable handle operably associated with the driving structure, the movable handle movable relative to the housing to translate the driving structure relative to the shaft. 
     
     
       11. The surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the linkage assembly includes first and second links. 
     
     
       12. The surgical instrument according to  claim 11 , wherein the first link is operably coupled between the driving structure and the first jaw member, and wherein the second link is operably coupled between the driving structure and the second jaw member. 
     
     
       13. The surgical instrument according to  claim 12 , wherein the first and second links are operably coupled to one another and the driving structure at proximal end portions of the first and second links. 
     
     
       14. The surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the linkage assembly is disposed proximally of the spring. 
     
     
       15. The surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second jaw members includes an opposed electrically conductive tissue contacting surface.